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06-Dec-2005, 12:37
| | Key Member | | Join Date: Nov 2003 Country: China
Posts: 2,210
Current Location: China First Language: Chinese Member Type: Student or Learner | |  phone call
Dear teachers,
When I stared learning English I was taught the way to make a phone was like this:
A: Hello, is this Nancy speaking? (or: Who is speaking?)
B: Yes. ( or: This is Nancy speaking.)
However, I read a textbook which read:
A: Hello.
B: Hello. Is that Nancy?
A: Yes. Hi Mary.
Is the one in the textbook correct? I mean can I say " Is that ...." in a phone call?
Looking forward to hearing from you.
Thank you in advance.
Jiang |
06-Dec-2005, 15:39
| | Editor, UsingEnglish.com | | Join Date: Nov 2002 Country: UK
Posts: 27,071
Current Location: Phnom Penh First Language: English Member Type: English Teacher | | Re: phone call
Yes, you can. I'd say that 'that' is more common nowadays, at least in BrE. We use 'this' when we identify ourselves, though.  |
07-Dec-2005, 00:39
|  | VIP Member | | Join Date: Sep 2003 Country: Canada
Posts: 12,989
Current Location: China First Language: English Member Type: Other | | Re: phone call
Additionally,
A: Hello, is this Nancy? (re: Nancy's voice I hear)
A: Hello, is that Nancy? (re: Nancy the person) physical distance
EX: Nancy is here. Nancy is (over) there.
EX: Nancy is this person here; Nancy is that person (over) there.
Note also,
A: Is this/that Nancy?
B: Yes. This is she/me. (formal/informal). |
07-Dec-2005, 02:10
| | Junior Member | | Join Date: Dec 2005 Country: USA
Posts: 43
First Language: English | | Re: phone call
just an observation, I suppose it is not really polite, but many people calling my house would just simply say the name of who they wanted with the pitch of a question even if it was obvious I wasn't that person. i did it sometimes too.
Me: "Hello?"
Them: "Joe?" (I sound nothing like Joe)
Me: "Just a moment."
I go hand Joe the phone. |
07-Dec-2005, 11:31
| | Key Member | | Join Date: Nov 2003 Country: China
Posts: 2,210
Current Location: China First Language: Chinese Member Type: Student or Learner | | Re: phone call
Dear todl,
Thank you very much for your reply. Now I see.
Jiang Quote: |
Originally Posted by tdol Yes, you can. I'd say that 'that' is more common nowadays, at least in BrE. We use 'this' when we identify ourselves, though. | |
07-Dec-2005, 11:32
| | Key Member | | Join Date: Nov 2003 Country: China
Posts: 2,210
Current Location: China First Language: Chinese Member Type: Student or Learner | | Re: phone call
Dear Cas,
Thank you very much for your additional explanation. Now I see.
Jiang Quote: |
Originally Posted by Casiopea Additionally,
A: Hello, is this Nancy? (re: Nancy's voice I hear)
A: Hello, is that Nancy? (re: Nancy the person) physical distance
EX: Nancy is here. Nancy is (over) there.
EX: Nancy is this person here; Nancy is that person (over) there.
Note also,
A: Is this/that Nancy?
B: Yes. This is she/me. (formal/informal). | |
07-Dec-2005, 11:35
| | Key Member | | Join Date: Nov 2003 Country: China
Posts: 2,210
Current Location: China First Language: Chinese Member Type: Student or Learner | | Re: phone call
Dear borat,
Thank you very much for your explanation. If it doesn't bother much could you please tell me which way is the polite way?
Looking forward to hearing from you.
Thank you in advance.
Jiang Quote: |
Originally Posted by borat just an observation, I suppose it is not really polite, but many people calling my house would just simply say the name of who they wanted with the pitch of a question even if it was obvious I wasn't that person. i did it sometimes too.
Me: "Hello?"
Them: "Joe?" (I sound nothing like Joe)
Me: "Just a moment."
I go hand Joe the phone. | |
08-Dec-2005, 09:35
| | Editor, UsingEnglish.com | | Join Date: Nov 2002 Country: UK
Posts: 27,071
Current Location: Phnom Penh First Language: English Member Type: English Teacher | | Re: phone call
In that case, I'd use something like 'Could I speak to Joe, please?' |
08-Dec-2005, 10:44
| | Key Member | | Join Date: Nov 2003 Country: China
Posts: 2,210
Current Location: China First Language: Chinese Member Type: Student or Learner | | Re: phone call
Dear tdol,
Thank you very much for your explanation. Now I see.
Jiang Quote: |
Originally Posted by tdol In that case, I'd use something like 'Could I speak to Joe, please?' | |
08-Dec-2005, 11:12
| | Editor, UsingEnglish.com | | Join Date: Nov 2002 Country: UK
Posts: 27,071
Current Location: Phnom Penh First Language: English Member Type: English Teacher | | Re: phone call
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